The CEO of Hearts has warned Rangers that only an “exceptional” offer will convince the Tynecastle club to sell Lawrence Shankland in January.
Speaking at the Hearts AGM, CEO Andrew McKinlay also claimed that there has been “absolutely nothing” in the way of official interest in the 28-year-old Scotland striker.
McKinlay was speaking amid much high profile coverage of Lawrence Shankland and Rangers in the media, although the links are dominated by opinion and comment rather than anything concrete.
Lawrence Shankland’s recent involvement in the Scotland squad and a high profile long-term injury to Brazilian striker Danilo have only intensified the discussion.
The comments also came before Lawrence Shankland inspired Hearts to a 2-0 victory at Celtic Park, the bluenose striker scoring to blow the Premiership title race wide open.
Hearts CEO warns Rangers off Lawrence Shankland
Hearts CEO Andrew McKinlay has been discussing the situation with Lawrence Shankland as part of the Edinburgh club’s Annual General Meeting.
The striker has netted 40 goals in 69 games for the Tynecastle club since joining Hearts last season with his prolific scoring records at Ayr United and Dundee United previously attracting Ibrox links.
Speaking amid the conversation around the forward, McKinlay claims Shankland is not for sale as things stand.
“We’re not looking to sell Lawrence in January,” said McKinlay. “I can categorically say that no one, either agents or clubs or anyone, has said anything to us about Lawrence leaving in January or has approached us. There’s been absolutely nothing on the subject.
“If someone comes in with an exceptional bid, and it would be exceptional, then of course we would consider it.
“We have a duty to consider it as a board of directors. But we know, and it’s been self-evident in the last number of games, just how important Lawrence is to the club. Hence, it would take an incredibly exceptional deal for us to even think about it.”
It’s not exactly the cut-price deal Lee McCulloch hinted at a few weeks ago.
Ibrox striker hunt continues after Danilo injury
Whilst it’s clear Rangers will have to either cough up or forget it when it come to Lawrence Shankland, Philippe Clement has already admitted a striker is top of his January wishlist.
With Brazilian striker Danilo facing months out of action, Rangers are short at the top end of the park and the club can expect a new addition in the winter window.
But by the sounds of things Hearts are set to demand a transfer fee which would render any potential Rangers move redundant as the club moves towards a more aggressive Player Trading model.
Lawrence Shankland may well be as close to a sure thing in Scottish football as they come – the goal v Celtic only cementing that feeling over the weekend – but the striker’s age and profile works against him.
Rangers would have to splash the cash to bring the striker to Govan but would stand little chance of recouping a greater fee in keeping with the club’s business model.
So whilst fans argue amongst themselves about the merits of Lawrence Shankland the player, it looks like Lawrence Shankland the asset makes him a non-starter for Rangers.
